The Whispering Chair – Mill Theatre – Review
by Brian Merriman

The Whispering Chair by Tara Maria Lovett  Dates: 5 – 15 Mar
Duration 75 minutes

The successful decade of centenaries shone a light on forgotten stories and heroes of an incredibly challenging and consequential period in Irish History. Inspired by a visit to a museum in Cavan, writer Tara Maria Lovett treats us to an imaginary story of those turbulent times. She is a fine and imaginative storyteller.

This new 75-minute piece introduces us to a couple who were at the heart of the War of Independence and their granddaughter and her husband in contemporary times. The story revolves around the recovery and upcycling of an old Victorian chair, a souvenir of the burning of the country manor in Lanesboro.

The opening monologue is in Irish and I was not conscious of the use of Irish in that location at that time, but it soon settles into English and we unravel an intriguing tale of secrets, love, conflict and reflection. It is a well-developed, dramatic plot which holds its audience throughout.

The play hopes to uncover the too often hidden history of the heroic women in Ireland but it does much more than that. In Con/Hugh (Naoise Dunbar) we get a wonderful study of Irish masculinity and vulnerability in a clear and enunciated conflict with the impact of culture, locality and upbringing of Maud/Aggie (Caitríona Williams) in a small rural town in Ireland.  It was so well told.

From the outset, Ronan Duffy’s fine set told us we were in for a quality production. What followed did not disappoint under the fluid and skilful direction of Brian Burroughs. There are two couples, Hugh and Maggie Burke and their granddaughter Aggie, who bears the burden of history and takes it out on her husband Con. Though Maud initially challenges us to find a redeeming quality, Lovett’s intelligent and insightful writing ensures all stories are plausible and complete. The contrast between both women and men is a tribute to the writing and playing.

Quite simply, actors Caitriona Williams and Naoise Dunbar rose to the dual roles handsomely. Their presence throughout illuminated the quality of Lovett’s story. To niggle about a very impressive production, in a raked theatre, the swift and many costume changes might be better behind the final ground row and the final line could be delivered as one, to prompt the final action, but really this new play is in great artistic hands throughout.

The title itself is inspiring and reminds us that creativity can be prompted by an everyday occurrence. Seeing a chair in a museum inspired this story. Once you’ve seen this fine piece of new Irish theatre, you might pop into a museum, listen to the whispers of our rich past and be creatively inspired. The outcome may be as good as what the Mill Theatre is showing audiences this week.

Cast: Caitríona Williams Maud/Aggie Burke, Naoise Dunbar Con/Hugh Burke
Director Bryan Burroughs
Set Designer Ronán Duffy